San Francisco Budget and Appropriations Committee Meeting - June 9, 2021
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San Francisco Budget and Appropriations Committee Regular Meeting - June 9, 2021
The Budget and Appropriations Committee met on June 9, 2021, to discuss the Mayor's proposed budget for FY2021-2022 and FY2022-2023, the Controller's revenue estimates, proposed street crisis response teams, small business COVID-19 relief, and the Youth Commission's budget priorities. The committee filed or continued all hearings.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mayor's Budget: Peter Warfield (Library Users Association) criticized the lack of equal internet access for those without home computers, noting over 100,000 San Franciscans lack internet access. Paul (District 10) requested 24-hour restrooms in parks and later transit service.
- Controller's Revenue Estimates: Claire Lau (Chinese Progressive Association) advocated for equitable use of federal stimulus funds, prioritizing low-income workers and people of color. Another caller emphasized the importance of nightlife and park gathering for economic recovery.
- Street Crisis Response Teams: Multiple callers supported non-police responses, including CART, and urged better coordination. Alexander Hergey (former youth commissioner) supported youth transit recommendations.
- Small Business Relief: Ben Bleiman (Entertainment Commission) warned of predatory online businesses and urged regulatory reform. Laurie Thomas (Golden Gate Restaurant Association) highlighted that 60% of restaurants received some rent relief in 2020 but far fewer in 2021. Another caller stressed the need for regulatory relief.
Discussion Items
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Mayor's Proposed Budget (Item 210623): Budget Director Ashley Graffenberger presented a $13.1B (FY21-22) and $12.8B (FY22-23) budget, closing a $23M shortfall. Key investments: $477M for COVID-19 response (food security, small business relief, community hubs), public safety (two police academies per year, alternative response teams), homelessness (over $1B for 4,000 new placements, prevention), behavioral health ($300M from Prop C), nonprofit sustainability ($6M cost-of-doing-business increase), capital projects ($200M), affordable housing ($50M new general fund), and children/youth ($35M annually for child care subsidies). The budget reduces the structural deficit by $50M in FY23-24 and creates a $295M fiscal cliff reserve. Questions from supervisors focused on reserves, police overtime, victim services office, and coordination of alternative response teams. The hearing was filed (4-0).
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Controller's Comment on Revenue Estimates (Item 210581): Controller Ben Rosenfield and revenue manager Carol Liu reported that revenue estimates are reasonable but face significant risks, including reliance on $430M in FEMA reimbursements (only $36M obligated, $15M paid), slow economic recovery (hospitality and telecommuting uncertainties), and a projected $300M structural deficit in FY23-24. The mayor's budget meets baseline requirements and reserves. Discussion on the $625M in one-time federal stimulus and the need for active monitoring. Hearing filed (4-0).
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Street Crisis Response Teams and Mental Health SF (Item 210626): Supervisor Ronan expressed concerns about duplication among nine street response teams (HSOC, HOT, Street Medicine, SFPD CIT, EMS6, SCRT, Street Wellness, Street Overdose, and proposed CART). City departments (DPH, DEM, Fire, HSH) presented the design of the Street Crisis Response Team (SCRT), Street Wellness Response Team, and Street Overdose Response Team, emphasizing coordination under community paramedicine. Dr. Monique LaSalle (Mental Health SF Implementation Working Group) noted the group was not consulted on the new teams and recommended mapping and coordination. Wes Westbrook (United Council for Human Services) advocated for the community-led CART program, which would respond to C-level calls. Supervisor Ronan critiqued the lack of a coordinated care system and absence of the Mental Health SF director. The hearing was continued to the call of the chair (4-0).
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Youth Commission Budget Priorities (Item 210624): Chair Nora Hilton and Commissioner Calvin Quick presented recommendations: fund permanent supportive housing rent cap (30% of income) from the general fund rather than Prop C; support non-police response (CART) funded by cuts to SFPD; reduce police/sheriff budgets proportional to reduced duties; add fee waivers and youth organizing grants; support free Muni for youth; close juvenile hall (saving $8.4M in FY21-22 and $18.8M in FY22-23) and not reopen Log Cabin Ranch. They also urged elimination of funding for juvenile hall operations beyond closure. Hearing filed (4-0).
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Small Business and Commercial Tenant COVID-19 Relief (Item 210627): BLA analyst Fred Rousseau presented estimates of unpaid commercial rent: $19.1M-$44.9M per month, with 89-98% from retail. OEWD Director Kate Sofis reported $52M in local relief (72% to minority-owned, 52% to women-owned), but noted that most businesses (98% under $15M revenue) are tapped out. Office of Small Business Director Regina Dick-Endrizzi shared survey data: 38% missed lease payments, 77% lease, 24% have leases expiring in 1-3 years. Small Business Commissioner Sharky Laguna emphasized the need for grants over loans and targeted investments. Discussion included legal mediation services and property tax deferral ideas. Hearing filed (4-0).
Key Outcomes
- Mayor's Proposed Budget and Controller's Revenue Estimates: Both hearings were filed (4-0), with the understanding that detailed department-level hearings would follow.
- Street Crisis Response Teams: The hearing was continued to the call of the chair (4-0), with intent to hold a follow-up hearing.
- Youth Commission Priorities: The hearing was filed (4-0), and the committee acknowledged the recommendations.
- Small Business Relief: The hearing was filed (4-0), with a commitment from Vice Chair Safai and Chair Haney to explore further grant funding and legal mediation support during the budget process.
- Votes: All votes were unanimous among present members (Supervisor Safai excused for early items, Supervisor Ronan excused for final vote). Motions included: excusing Vice Chair Safai until item 4; excusing Supervisor Ronan from vote on item 5; filing hearings; continuing item 3.
Meeting Transcript
This meeting will come to order. This is the June 9th, 2021 budget and appropriations committee meeting. I'm Matt Haney, Chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee. I'm joined by committee members, President Walton Supervisors Ronin and Marm. Our clerk is Mr. Brent Alipa, and I would like to thank Kalina Mendoza and Shibila Reniga from SFGov TV. Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Due to the COVID-19 health emergency and to protect board members, city employees, and the public, the Board of Supervisors Legislative Chamber and Committee Room are closed. However, members will be participating in this meeting remotely. This precaution is taken pursuant to the various local, state, and federal orders, declarations and directives. Committee members will attend the meeting through video conference and participate in the meeting to the same extent as if they're physically present. The public comment will be available on each item on this agenda, channels 267899 and sfgovtv.org are streaming the number across the stream. Each speaker will be allowed two minutes to speak. Comments or opportunities to speak during the public comment period are available via phone call by calling 415 65501 meeting ID 1870 2606. Then press pound twice. When connected, you will hear the meeting discussions, but you'll be muted and in listening mode only. When your item of interest comes up, dial star three to be added to the speaker line. Alternatively, you may submit public comments in the following way. Email the budget and appropriations committee clerk at uh LINDA dot W O N G, Linda Wong at SFGOV.org. If you submit public comment via email, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and will be included as part of the official file. Mr. Chair, this concludes my announcements. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. I want to make a motion to excuse Vice Chair Safai from the meeting. He will be joining us for item four. Can I have a second, please? Second. Second invitation, please. Yes, Mr. Chair, on the motion to excuse uh Supervisor Sothai from the meeting until item number four. Um member, oh sorry, uh Supervisor Marr. Aye. Mar I, Supervisor Ronin. I Ronan, I, President Walton. I Walton, I, Chair Haney. Aye. Uh Haney, I, you have four eyes. Great. Uh Supervisor Safai is excused for the time being. Uh, Mr. Clerk, can you please call item two first? Yes, Mr. Chair. Item number two is a hearing on the mayor's proposed budget for fiscal years uh 2021 through 2022 and 2022 through 2023. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment on this item should call 415-655-0001. Meeting ID 187-078-2606, then press pound twice.
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